What do elearning, blended learning, and microlearning courses look like?

When setting out to design a course, it’s important to consider the different approaches you can take to tailor it best to your intended learner. Your goals, the target audience and the subject matter are the starting points from which to guide your instructional development strategy.

Selecting the right learning delivery format for your learners and learning objectives is key. Each approach – eLearning, blended learning and microlearning – have unique characteristics that can help define when their use is appropriate. Each format can be the best learning delivery format – it all depends on the context of your course.

In this article, we explore the characteristics of eLearning (asynchronous), blended learning courses (synchronous and asynchronous) and microlearning courses (asynchronous) to explore their distinct formats. Together, we will be able to better understand these different forms of online learning and their uses, and we invite you to navigate the section(s) that is most important to you and your learning development needs.

eLearning

Let’s first begin with a better understanding of eLearning. eLearning is considered a type of virtual learning environment that is facilitated with elements of electronic tools, resources and various digital media, such as computers, phones and an array of devices. E-learning can be presented in the form of asynchronous, synchronous or hybrid (blended) learning (which we will look at later in this article):

Synchronous learning considers an online learning environment that includes a ‘live’ component or activity that happens in real time, such as a video conference session or live discussion. These activities take place in a digital space that enables all students to participate and interact with each other within the course simultaneously.

On the other hand, asynchronous learning involves an online learning environment that includes activities that are autonomous and self-paced, which students can complete in their own time over a set duration. Students can engage with and process the material in any way that best suits their learning preferences or needs, such as through forum discussion posts, assigned readings, or pre-recorded videos. Asynchronous learning does not require a live, video conferencing component.

In the context of asynchronous eLearning, the learner logs into the course and accesses its learner user interface through a learning management system (LMS) or through a webpage. The course content for an eLearning course is usually created in an authoring tool that is used to design the interactive elements, such as the navigation, interactive learning elements like knowledge checks, embedded quizzes, and adding any audio, graphics, or videos that the learner would engage with in their interaction with the online course. This content can then be packaged and exported in different formats from the authoring tool system to be uploaded to the LMS that the course will be displayed through for the learner. The learner is self-guided through a learning experience where they interact with instructional content such as text and videos. Common uses for asynchronous eLearning include scaling the impact of a pre-existing course, workshop or training to be offered at a distance or for the design and delivery of independent learning experiences.

To learn more about synchronous and asynchronous affordances and limitations and when to use each approach, respectively, read more from our blog on asynchronous and synchronous - why there is a place for both. But how do you choose?

Blended learning

When designing an e-learning course, if you’re not sure which approach between asynchronous and synchronous learning to use, depending on the intended learner and the nature of your material, consider a blend of both! A hybrid learning approach considers an online learning environment that contains blended components of both synchronous and asynchronous learning models, tailoring the learning experience and activities to include a mix of both approaches that will best meet the learners needs. 

Blended learning is ideal for learners that prefer flexibility, as it allows the experience to be individualized to each student. Students are able to take the suitable amount of time they need to engage with the material, digest the content and revisit the material at any time for further clarification. Added elements of synchronous learning allows for opportunities of social interaction and collaboration that increases student engagement and learning success. Pockets of live engagement, for example to ask questions in real time, can benefit the learners to ensure there are no gaps in knowledge from when they are self-pacing their independent learning through the asynchronous components of the course. Hybrid learning creates collaborative learning experiences and is beneficial and commonly used for a cohort-based learning approach, which considers learners who assemble to collaborate on material simultaneously. Blended learning is often delivered with the use of a learning management system and a video conferencing tool combined, such as Moodle and Zoom or Open EdX and Google Hangouts or Microsoft Teams. Many combinations and tools are possible. 

Microlearning

Another asynchronous learning experience approach is microlearning. This popular format for online learning consists of micro-lessons which are 3- to 5-minute lessons designed to answer a specific question. Easy and quick to adapt content, microlearning helps to address emerging needs, opportunities and risks, while functioning as an agile learning tool that can meet multiple learning needs.

For the learner experience, a microlearning approach is faster than other online learning formats, but can also be more effective, depending on the learner’s needs.

Scan this QR code to test out a micro-lesson on your phone or tablet or follow this link: https://link.edapp.com/HksxBuKmQnb

Some situations where microlearning would be a recommended approach include the following: brief and immediate targeted learning; sustainable, long-term learning (such as regular short-bursts of information over long periods of time); on-going practice that helps refresh memory or reinforce prior training (such as long-form learning eCourses and workshops); job-aids and scenario-based content that relates to the learner and quick, effective reference to job-related FAQs.

For more information about microlearning, please read our blog on ‘Pick microlearning for a responsive and fast eLearning option.’

 We hope this overview provides some clarity on the differences between eLearning, blended learning and microlearning forms of online learning, and the learning experience they each create.We hope it’s beneficial in helping with your learning development strategy and course design ahead – happy building!